My Thought On Press Freedom -By Sale Rusulana Yanguruza

Whenever I come across the concept of “Press Freedom” in its literary meaning, I feel very comfortable and delighted. But beyond the surface level, I usually got to a total astray because of the yearly reports of journalists being silenced, harassed, and killed. Even the recent statistics released, indicating that about 200 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024 – nearly two-thirds of them Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank. These data and statistics alone made me ask the rhetorical question: is there Press Freedom in Nigeria or in the world? To satisfy my eagerness and curiosity to know, it’s prompted and triggered me to keep searching for the answers. But, unfortunately, the outcome of every little investigation I conducted was doubtful and scared me as a young journalist.

When I was growing up in my community, even people who didn’t acquire a primary school certificate often told young people who have a strong-willed and passion for journalism, that even at a war place, if you wear a jacket carrying the powerful word “PRESS”, you are completely safe and no one will attack you. But I grew up seeing and witnessing different things. Why do the killing, harassing, intimidating, and silencing of journalists persist every year ? These issues have persistently and continuously left me feeling disheartened and disillusioned, even questioning everything about the harsh realities journalists are facing, particularly in war zones.

When I read the National Open University of Nigeria lecture notes titled “Media and Society” in Module 2, Unit 3, noted that, “There’s no absolute Press Freedom anywhere in the World.” They further explained that in Nigeria, Section 39 (1) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution, which guarantees the freedom of the press, is contradictory because half of the freedom guaranteed to journalists has been taken away in the same constitution that guarantees media practitioners operate without any interference or limitations.

Sadly, Just in one country where war is happening, this high number of individuals who sacrifice their lives to inform us are lost to soldiers. The sad part about the incident is that it highlights the immense risk journalists take, and if research were to carried out to find out the number properly in all the countries across the world, without doubt, the number would likely to double.

The most shocking and uninteresting thing is that, despite the fact that, it’s our fellow colleagues affected we pay less attention to this number in our coverage to the statistics or data released, showcasing the hectic situation journalists work in and the legacies of famous journalists and their contributions to journalism forums, it’s still not enough.

Perhaps, it’s because of proximity in news values or editorial policies of some media organizations regarding certain places where journalists are affected pay less attention to it. However, I strongly believe that the loss of about 200 courageous and fearless journalists in Gaza deserves huge, wide coverage from media outlets across the world.This would no doubt help to advocate for justice and a free press in the world.

My biggest concern about the journalists lost their lives is that most of them works in private organizations, and after their loss, who takes care of their family’s responsibilities? Several times in school, we have been taught that our duty is very essential; in fact, when you’re on the beat, particularly in a place where there’s violence and conflict, you’re like a soldier reporting the society about the war. But soldiers have allowances, and after their lives are lost, provisions are made.

Additionaly, I’ve seen schools open to orphans whose parents died while serving the country as soldiers. But do we ask about journalists? What situations do their families fall into after their demise as result of their duty to serve humanity for telling the truth? Things Need to be done also in this aspect; World Press Day should be more than just a day for remembrance and advocacy; it should also be a day to support the families of journalists who have lost their lives and to push for the release of those who are illegally imprisoned, so they can carry out their responsibilities.

I can vividly recall what a 30-year-experienced journalist said last year during the 2024 world Press Day celebration: “If you want to know the real men in society, they are journalists because, different calibers of people working in various government agencies and private organizations would terminate and flee their workplaces because of war or violence. But it’s in these hectic situations that journalists would carry their cameras and recording devices to go to the places where the war is happening, for the reason of informing society about what’s happening.”Its Sound Like Madness! he put a question in the gatherings.

It’s necessary, important and behooves to us to note that, Journalism is the bedrock of any democratic society. Let the government and stakeholders allow the press to exercise their rights without any hindrance or interference, because press freedom is not only for the benefit of journalists, but also about making society free and informed. And allowing the press to operate freely, they will ensure that the voices of the people are heard and those in power are held accountable.

Postcards from Ukraine also posted data of Journalists being killed on their Facebook page highlighting the heroes who lost their lives in their efforts to speak the truth . Below are the deadlist.

Andrea Rocchelli, an Italian photojournalist, killed by mortar fire near Sloviansk in 2014 while documenting the early stages of the war in Donbas.

Brent Renaud, an American journalist killed in Irpin in March 2022.

Oleksandra Kuvshynova, a young Ukrainian fixer and journalist, who died after coming under fire together with the Fox News crew.

Mantas Kvedaravičius, a Lithuanian filmmaker and war documentary director, was captured and killed by Russian forces in Mariupol in April 2022 while trying to escape the city.

Arman Soldin, a French journalist and video coordinator for AFP, was killed by a rocket strike near Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine in May 2023 while covering frontline combat.

Ryan Evans, a Reuters safety adviser, was killed in August 2024 in Kramatorsk when a Russian missile hit the Sapphire Hotel. Two other journalists from the team were injured in the same strike.

Viktoria Roshchyna, a Ukrainian investigative journalist, was twice held captive by Russian forces. She was killed in Russia in September 2024. Her body was returned with signs of torture and missing internal organs in February 2025.

Let Press be Free anywhere in the World inorder to have just and peaceful society.

Sale Rusulana Yanguruza